Family Day shopping list

A Family Day needs more than food and drinks. You’ll need enough seating for different ages, serving equipment for snacks and desserts, and practical items for activities, signs and name badges. Check what you already have before shopping, especially reusable tableware, coffee equipment and outdoor furniture. Confirm dietary requirements and the weather before you buy quantities or decide how much food needs refrigeration.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 4
Patio chairsqty 12
High tablesqty 4
Tablecloth clipsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 90
Soup bowlsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Forksqty 90
Knivesqty 90
Spoonsqty 90
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power banksqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 14
Name badgesqty 80
Balloon weightsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Tapeqty 8
Ropeqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Lanternsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Korfball hoopsqty 2
Tug of war rope
Hoopsqty 10
Conesqty 30
Skipping ropesqty 8
Water balloonsqty 200
Ring toss setsqty 2
Board gamesqty 8
Coloring pagesqty 80
Colored pencilsqty 12
Sidewalk chalkqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel rollsqty 6
Toilet paper rollsqty 24
Paper napkinsqty 200
Paper towel rollsqty 8
Dish brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Beef carpaccio - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Corn - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilo
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Pasta - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 7 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburgers - 70 pieces
- Hot dogs - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Basil - 4 bunches
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Cheese sticks - 6 packs
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Guacamole - 4 tubs
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Caramel sauce - 3 bottles
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pies
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Cotton candy - 40 pieces
- Children's ice lollies - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Lactose-free yogurt - 2 liter
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% extra. Include reusable plates, dessert plates, soup bowls, drinking glasses, coffee cups, forks, knives, spoons and coffee spoons so a busy buffet does not run short.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Check refrigeration capacity in advance; drinks for a full Family Day can quickly take more space than expected.
Prepare separate serving equipment for hot food, snacks and desserts. Food warmers, thermos flasks, kettles, coffee machines, serving tongs and serving spoons are easy to forget until the buffet opens.
Count seats by activity, not just by guest. Provide one chair per person for meals, then add tables and flexible seating such as beer tables, patio chairs or high tables if people will move between games and eating.
Buy or gather weather cover at least 48 hours before the event. Party tents, tablecloth clips and covered storage protect food, decorations and activity materials if the forecast changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Family Day?: Plan one complete place setting per guest and add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 plates, glasses, forks, knives and spoons, plus enough dessert plates and coffee cups for the later part of the day.
How many drinks should I buy for Family Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. For a four-hour event with 30 guests, plan roughly 150 to 180 drinks, adjusted for children, weather and drink size.
When should I prepare the Family Day shopping list?: Make the first list at least one week before the event and check stock at home then. Recheck quantities 48 hours beforehand, after dietary requirements, the final guest list and the weather forecast are confirmed.
How many chairs and tables do I need for Family Day?: Start with one seat per confirmed guest and enough table space for everyone eating at once. Add at least 10% spare seating where possible, especially when children’s activities mean guests will move between dining, games and outdoor areas.

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